Firefighters put out fire on north Flint block where few houses remain

Joseph Tobianski | The Flint Journal Flint firefighters put out a suspicious fire on Holbrook Avenue near Selby Street in Flint on Thursday evening. The fire is under investigation as a possible arson.

FLINT, Michigan — Firefighters around 9:45 p.m. doused a blaze at one of just a handful of homes remaining on a north-side block.

The fire did some $10,000 in damage at the home on East Holbrook Avenue at Selby Street.

Battalion Chief Keith Crawford said the fire will be investigated as a possible arson.

There was a report of breaking and entering at the home earlier in the day, Crawford said.

It wasn't clear whether anyone lived in the home. Firefighters found mattresses on the floor but no appliances.

Damage was done primarily to the living room, but a cause has not yet been determined, Crawford said.

Only five occupied homes and a church remain on that block of Holbrook, where there are numerous empty lots and vacant houses.

Joseph Tobianski | The Flint Journal A Flint firefighter sits in his fire truck after putting out a suspicious fire on Holbrook Avenue near Selby Street in Flint on Thursday evening. The fire is under investigation as a possible arson.